16/03/2025
NEWS STORY
As expected, it is wet.
Zak Brown and James Vowles had both warned that it would be "wet, wet, wet" and they were correct.
While the torrential downpour experienced earlier has eased, we are expecting further heavy rain over the course of the afternoon.
Consequently, much of what we were going to say goes out of the window.
Other than being wet it is quite cool, so not only has all that lovely rubber been washed away, much of the data acquired over the last couple of days is pretty much useless.
Asked how he feels, Lando Norris is giving little away other than to say he was expecting it, while Max Verstappen will be grinning from ear to ear, for rain is the great leveller.
As Pirelli say, if the race is run entirely in the wet, case anything could happen. However, at least it will present an opportunity to see the new extreme wet tyre, which has been modified this year with a slightly different tread design.
However, in mixed conditions, which appears more likely, the drivers are likely to be starting on a wet or damp track requiring Intermediate tyres, prior to a switch to slicks.
In this case, the drivers could try to extend the Intermediate stint as much as possible before switching to the hard. The soft would only come into play if the switch to slicks occurs in the closing stages.
Whatever happens, it looks like being a fun afternoon!
While there are a number of drivers that excel in these conditions, it is difficult to think beyond last year's thriller in Brazil where Verstappen made all the difference.
That said, being the leveller that it is, the rain could yet set us up for a 'fairy-tale', be it Hamilton winning on his Ferrari debut, Sainz repeating his 2024 win - in a Williams! - or how about Alonso.
Then again, there's local lad Piastri, who would dearly love to be the first Australian to stand atop the podium in the country since it became part of the world championship.
Of course, Ricciardo finished second in 2014 but was subsequently disqualified.
Away from all that, F1 has announced that all 11 - count 'em - teams have signed up to the new Concorde Agreement, then again with all that lovely money rolling in why wouldn't they.
Not that it matters, Lawson, who qualified 18th, will now start from the pitlane after changing the rear wing and beam wing on his car for versions of a different spec. He joins Bearman who failed to post a time after his torrid weekend went from bad to worse.
Air temperature is 16 degrees C while the track temperature is 19 degrees, a far cry from yesterday. Other than being cool, it is quite blustery.
The pitlane opens and the drivers begin to head out. With no rain in pre-season testing, many of the drivers, especially the rookies, to carry out a standing start. Some are on full wets, others on Inters.
Understandably, caution is the name of the game, however, while some switch from Inters to wets others go in the opposite direction.
The pit exit closes as the rain continues to fall.
As officials ponder whether it will be a standing start or behind the Safety Car, we have to ask, what would Joseph Kosinski do? Think about it.
According to Zak Brown, his drivers have reported a lot of standing water.
Ten minutes before the start and while the rain has stopped Race Control claims a 40% chance of further rain.
All are starting on the Inters other than Stroll who is on full wets.
They head off on the formation lap. However, Hadjar is off at Turn 2, having spun and clouted the barrier with his rear wing.
As his car is removed the start is aborted and the grid reforms. As Race Control announces that the formation lap will get underway at 15:15, Hadjar remains beside his car, clearly distraught. Heading back to the pitlane he is consoled by Anthony Hamilton.
Stroll has switched to Inters.
Second time lucky? They head off on a second formation lap. As is the new rule this year, the field is joined by the two drivers starting from the pitlane.
The grid forms.
They're away! They all take it very gingerly, particularly Norris. Nonetheless he leads into Turn 1.
Verstappen passes Piastri, going around the McLaren in Turn 2, while Leclerc subsequently edges out his Ferrari teammate, Albon taking advantage and passing the second scarlet car.
However, Doohan has crashed on the approach to Turn 6. As he remains in his car the crowd sighs.
The Safety Car is deployed.
Replay shows that, like Hadjar, applied just a little too much throttle.
There's more drama as, under the Safety Car, 2024 winner Sainz has gone off at Turn 13 and is in the barrier. "I had a massive power surge," he reports.
As there is a recovery vehicle on track the Safety Car leads the field through the pitlane.
"The track is drying up quickly," reports Leclerc.
Norris leads Verstappen, Piastri, Russell, Leclerc, Tsunoda, Albon, Hamilton, Gasly and Alonso. Hulkenberg is up to twelfth.
Antonelli is warned that Doohan "lost it after running over the white lines".
During the third trip through the pitlane a number of drivers stop for new sets of Inters.
"No significant rain expected for at least 30 minutes," Norris is told.
"Some bits are still pretty wet," reports Norris, though he feels S3 is drying.
The Safety Car is withdrawn at the end of Lap 7. Verstappen is hard on Norris' heels, however the Briton holds his nerve.
Alonso and Tsunoda have been noted for Safety Car infringements. Both are understood to have been more than 10 car lengths behind the cars they were following.
As Verstappen posts a new fastest lap (34.315), Leclerc is visibly seeking out the wet patches in order to cool his Inters.
Bortoleto is unhappy with his brakes.
"Main tyre to cool down is front-left," Leclerc is advised. "Leave me alone," he effectively replies.
DRS is enabled on Lap 12.
"Let me know where I'm slow, I'm struggling with drivability," reports Hamilton.
Norris is told that in "six laps time" there will be one lap of "class 1" rain.
"You can use K1 when available," Hamilton is told. "Leave me to it," he replies.
Antonelli passes Hulkenberg for 12th. However, he subsequently spins, thereby allowing the Stake driver to retake the position.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Albert Park here.
On Lap 17, Verstappen runs too deep and over the gravel in Turn 9/10, allowing Piastri through to claim second. The crowd roars its approval.
As Antonelli passes Hulkenberg again, Albon and Hamilton have been noted for Safety Car infringements.
4.3s down on Piastri, Verstappen is clearly struggling. He is told to "hold on" when he warns that his tyres are done.
No further action over Alonso and Tsunoda. Same goes for Albon and Hamilton.
There is light rain, but fearing an increase in intensity, Norris and Verstappen are both advised to hold on.
As Hamilton closes on Albon, Alonso is all over Gasly.
"This rain will stop in 3 laps," Piastri is told.
"Lost gear sync," reports Hamilton.
After 23 laps, Verstappen is 9.8s down on Piastri and 11.8 down on Norris.
Antonelli passes Stroll for eleventh.
Hamilton makes a move on Albon but the Williams driver has it all under control.
Fearing a "leak", Leclerc is assured that there is no issue. "I have the seat full of water," he insists. "Must be the water," he is told. "Let's add that to the words of wisdom," he says.
Lap 26 sees Piastri post a new fastest lap (29.037).
"Please leave me to it," insists Hamilton when advised over DRS use.
Another fastest lap form Piastri (28.629) suggests conditions are improving. The Australian is now 0.743s down on his teammate and 15.7s clear of Verstappen.
Piastri is told to hold station, especially as they deal with backmarkers, but he is clearly not happy.
"I'm not close enough, I'm not close enough, when I am I'll do it," insists Hamilton when advised to use the overtake button.
A mistake in Turn 6 from Piastri gives his teammate some much appreciated breathing space.
The racing line is drying... quickly.
"We're free to race, free to race," Piastri is told. "You know the rules."
Alonso spins and hits the wall at Turn 7 on Lap 34. In the pitlane the Ferrari crew are out and waiting, but for whom?
Hamilton pits as does Tsunoda, Albon, Gasly and a whole load of others. Bortoleto stops at the Haas pit.
Next time around, with the Safety Car now deployed, the leaders all stop.
The Inters are ditched in favour of a mixture of mediums and hards.
With Alonso's car stranded on track, and no sign of it being moved, the Safety Car leads Norris (hards), Piastri (hards), Verstappen (mediums), Russell (hards), Leclerc (hards), Tsunoda (mediums), Albon (mediums), Hamilton (hards), Gasly (hards) and Antonelli (hards). Both Haas drivers - currently 14th (Ocon) and 15th (Bearman) - are still on Inters.
"There is a very small but intense rain shower expected between Laps 45 and 50," Piastri is advised. Norris is told one lap of rain is expected.
When Norris asks how confident the team is that the rain will only last one lap, he is told that, considering what has happened thus far, "not that confident".
It is significantly much darker now.
Norris is advised that there is confusion over the rain. It may miss the circuit, then again it may not. Also, it may last more than one lap.
Bearman pits for mediums, as does Ocon. As he rejoined the track, the Briton had a major wobble has he emerged alongside Verstappen.
Bortoleto and Lawson have both been noted for unsafe releases.
The Safety Car is withdrawn at the end of Lap 41.
Again, Norris has it under control.
Leclerc is warned of Class 2 rain (heavy) in 3 laps.
Lawson posts a new fastest lap (26.446).
DRS is enabled as Albon is all over Tsunoda.
"We don't want to jump too early," Norris is told.
Bortoleto gets a 5s penalty for an unsafe release.
Tsunoda has passed Leclerc following a mistake, the Ferrari driver almost collects Albon.
It is raining.
Out front Piastri runs wide at successive corners. As Norris pits Verstappen has the lead.
As Piastri tries to get going again, the crowd roaring him on, more and more drivers pit.
As Piastri makes it back to the pits, Verstappen opts not to stop.
"We need to make a decision," says the Dutchman, as Hamilton is second, ahead of Gasly, Tsunoda and Leclerc, the leading three still on slicks.
Verstappen pits at the end of Lap 45, handing Hamilton the lead. Verstappen rejoins in fifth.
Bortoleto and Lawson have both gone off.
Norris retakes the lead while Hamilton and Leclerc continue on their slicks. That said, after spinning Leclerc and then teammate Hamilton both stop. They rejoin in ninth (Hamilton) and tenth, while Tsunoda, who also went off before pitting, is eleventh.
The timing screen is as good as useless, which only adds to the confusion.
Behind the Safety Car it's: Norris, Verstappen, Russell, Albon, Antonelli, Stroll, Hulkenberg, Gasly, Hamilton and Leclerc. Piastri is down in 13th.
"You said it wasn't going to rain much, we've missed a big opportunity there," complains Hamilton. "****," he adds when told his position.
The Safety Car is withdrawn at the end of Lap 51. Verstappen is right behind Norris.
Norris leads while the Dutchman has a slight wobble out of Turn 2. Leclerc passes Hamilton for ninth.
Gasly makes a mistake and the Ferrari pair are quick to take advantage.
The Frenchman subsequently comes under attack from Piastri who could still make it into the points.
Antonelli is all over Albon as they battle for fourth as Piastri passes Gasly.
"Verstappen has DRS," Norris is told as he begins his final lap. "You have the pace, do not push it." The McLaren driver leads by 0.729s.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Albert Park here.
Antonelli has been noted for an unsafe release. He gets a 5s penalty.
Norris takes the flag, ahead of Verstappen, Russell, Albon, Antonelli, Stroll, Hulkenberg, Leclerc, Piastri and Hamilton, the Australian having made a bold move on the seven-time champ on the final lap.
Gasly is eleventh, ahead of Tsunoda, Ocon and Bearman.
Quite how to describe the season opener is difficult, but the best we can come up with is 'drama-filled". It wasn't a thriller and certainly not a classic, indeed it was pretty messy.
While Norris will have every right to feel his victory was well-earned, a number of his rivals are going to be feeling mighty frustrated by their mistakes.
"It was a great race to come home in P3," says Russell. "And well done to Lando, a race like that when you are leading is probably your worst nightmare.
"Well done to Kimi too," he adds.
"Not our strongest race, but let's come back next weekend. It was good fun, I was quite enjoying it to be honest, hoping the two guys ahead made a mistake and I could slip through. Hope everyone enjoyed it at home!"
"It was a difficult race," adds Verstappen, "but at the end it was fun.
"Lando had a little moment in Turn 6 which is why I got close," he continues. "It was fun, pushing, fighting for the win, but I'm just happy to bring it home, score good points and this is a good start for us.
"When I stayed out, the first lap was alright but the weather continued. At the end of the day if we had boxed one lap earlier, we would have been P2 anyway so it was worth a gamble. It was quite spicy on the slick tyres.
"This is where I expected to be, it is 18 points more than I had here last year, so I'll take that."
"It was amazing," says Norris, "a top race, especially with Max behind me. I was pushing, especially the last two laps, it was a little bit stressful, I'm not going to lie.
"Tricky conditions, but there are the ones that are enjoyable and we ended up on top so I'm happy.
"We got it wrong a lot last year so I guess we learned from our mistakes, we lost out in Silverstone and Canada in similar conditions. Dealing with the pressure, dealing with Max, with Oscar behind me. I was pushing the whole way through.
"A challenging race but for McLaren I need to give thanks as they have given me a brilliant car."
Finally, at a time the sport is reaping huge profits and forever boasting of its new fan-base, could it please sort out its timing app and streaming services.
People are paying for information that they are not getting. Today the timing and driver tracker was noticeably lagging, which makes following the race - especially races like today where conditions are forever changing - almost impossible.
A lot of those new fans are happy with the simple things, like the trackside music and boyband pictures, but others want accurate data and information which is why they are paying for it. Yet they are not getting it.
This weekend it has been noticeable that very little of the radio communication has been shared, while, as ever, fans have to wait and wait and wait before the full, official result is shown on screen.
OK, we get it that the sport wants to keep its new fan-base happy, but not at the cost of those who take the sport that little bit more seriously.
Chaotic - another good adjective for today - races need to see fans kept fully up to speed and sadly this has not been the case. The sport really needs to start thinking who it truly want to appeal to, because a lot of diehards are increasingly feeling left out.
Sadly, those new fans will be among the first to claims that the likes of Doohan and Lawson need dropping in favour of the likes of Colapinto and Perez, but conditions like today can see anyone demoted from hero to zero - or the other way around - in fractions of a second.
In as much as Hadjar, Doohan and Sainz were hapless passengers, let's not jump on the bandwagon when it comes to Piastri. Mistakes happen, especially in conditions like this.
A number of drivers will be ruing their errors, whilst their teams will no doubt be reflecting on wrong or delayed strategic calls.
Today was the sort of day when anything could - and would happen - so will the 'vultures' calling for X to be dropped in favour of Y please give it a rest. And that goes - even more so - to members of the media, ever keen to stir the pot for a good headline.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Albert Park here.